“I’m a very strong supporter of the port and see it as a vital part of our community,” said Jones, 68, adding that it is an economic engine for the area and provides family-wage jobs.

Jones is a longtime west Olympia resident who has served as board president for the Thurston Economic Development Council and on the board of the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, he said.

Jones retired as a lieutenant colonel after a 22-year career in the Army, including time spent at what was then Fort Lewis. He currently has a consulting business that advises small manufacturers about doing business with the federal government.

He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology education from Indiana University.

Jones has run for office before. He ran unsuccessfully for Olympia mayor in 1993 and for Thurston County Commissioner in 1998, he said.

“My primary interest is in serving the community,” Jones said.

Meanwhile, District 1 incumbent George Barner said Tuesday he still intends to run for a third term, but he needs to find a treasurer and campaign manager before the Friday filing deadline.

“It is what it is,” said Barner, “but I’m working on it.”

State worker Joe Downing has filed to run for Barner’s seat. So far, Downing has raised about $18,000, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.